By Eric Lindberg – The Daily Sound

Fire sprinklers will be a mandatory requirement for any new buildings, additions and major remodels in Santa Barbara after leaders unanimously approved changes to the city’s fire code yesterday in an effort to minimize loss of life and unnecessary damage.

In addition to commercial buildings, the requirement will apply to all new single-family homes, a significant fact considering that residential structure fires account for 83 percent of fire-related deaths and 80 percent of fire-related injuries.

“This does mean a real cost to people,” Councilmember Das Williams said. “But the fact is that the lives that will be saved, we cannot put a cost on.”

Data backs up the contention that fire sprinklers save lives and limit damage, City Fire Marshal Joe Poire said, pointing out research that shows the risk of dying in a structure fire is reduced by 82 percent when sprinklers are used in conjunction with smoke detectors, compared to a reduced fatality rate of 63 percent with only smoke detectors.

“They often complete the work before the fire department arrives,” Poire said.

On average, it takes city firefighters approximately eight minutes to respond to a structure fire, from receiving the alarm call to hitting the flames with water.

“During that time, the fire continues to grow,” Poire said. “Fires tend to grow very quickly in ordinary combustibles, like furniture.”

A sprinkler responding to the heat of a fire will dump 20 gallons of water per minute on the flames, he said, usually extinguishing them or buying critical time until firefighters can arrive.

Fire sprinklers played a significant role in saving the life of a resident in the 4200 block of Calle Real last year, Poire said. An accidental fire started in the residence and the victim was unconscious on a burning mattress when an overhead sprinkler extinguished the flames.

“This would have absolutely resulted in a fatality had a sprinkler not been installed,” Poire said, adding that the victim sustained only minor injuries.

Under the prior fire code, fire sprinklers were required for new commercial construction or additions greater than 5,000 square feet, in addition to any commercial buildings larger than 5,000 square feet that are converted to a more hazardous use.

Residential buildings, as well as remodels, were not subject to the requirement.

When the changes go into effect in July, all new residential and commercial buildings, regardless of size, will need sprinklers. Any commercial additions or remodels involving 50 percent or more of the building will also trigger the safety measure.

Additions or remodels in residential structures that exceed 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the floor area are also covered by the requirement, as well as any building changed to a more hazardous use.

Fire officials researched the approximate cost of installing fire sprinklers in the Santa Barbara area and determined it would fall between $2.50 and $3 per square foot. Poire noted that sprinklers typically reduce fire insurance premiums from 2 to 20 percent.

He also cleared up several myths about fire sprinklers, including the contention that they are all triggered at once by smoke, causing water damage throughout the building

He said sprinklers go off individually based on heat, not smoke. Poire said the relatively lower flow of water compared to fire hoses also causes much less damage.

Although he admitted to being initially skeptical of the requirement, as it would increase the cost of building new homes, Councilmember Dale Francisco said he ultimately determined that the safety measure is warranted.

“I eventually came to the conclusion that this was a good proposal,” he said. “I think this is something that we will look back on and say it was a good idea.”

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